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| A model holds an AskUp Lemon Sparkle Highball product made with an interactive AI chatbot at a GS25 convenience store in Seoul, May 17. Courtesy of GS Retail |
By Kim Jae-heun
Retailers are rushing to learn and use generative artificial intelligence (AI) to provide hyper-personalized products and services for tech-savvy young customers in their 20s and 30s, who have become a major consumer group, according to industry officials, Tuesday.
AI technology is used not only to make customized products, but also to design the whole process of product planning, they said.
GS25, one of the country's largest convenience store chains, operated by GS Retail, has been at the forefront of adopting this rapidly evolving technology.
On May 17, the convenience store operator launched the world's first liquor made with the help of an interactive AI chatbot. The drink is called AskUp Lemon Sparkle Highball.
GS Retail collaborated with local liquor firm Brewguru to develop the alcoholic beverage by utilizing the AI chatbot service AskUp, which provided data on people's preferred recipes, tastes, alcohol proof, price and even the name.
"We have launched the alcohol drink with the decision that it would be effective to introduce an AI-made highball, which is popular among consumers in their 20s and 30s," a GS Retail official said.
Hyundai Department Store also utilized AI technology to create an advertising phrase recently, which previously relied on the services of marketing companies. In January, the retailer introduced Jelpo, an AI chatbot service that operates all day long, throughout the year. The AI-based one-on-one customer service is available in both online and offline stores.
Lotte Mart is using AI to select quality apples for customers. The digital technology measures the sugar and moisture content in the fruit as well as its grade of maturity to offer top-quality apples.
"AI is no longer a technology for IT firms only. It is used in various business sectors and retail is no exception. Retailers will continue to develop their services and products based on generative AI systems," a local retail firm official said.
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